Survey will gauge Whanganui’s ‘digital pulse’
Published on 13 January 2022
Whanganui District Council is collecting information on internet access and the level of digital confidence in the Whanganui District with a survey that’s open to the whole community. The survey will be available online, in paper form and via phone call from 12 noon on Thursday, 13 January 2022.
The survey is to help the council better understand the current state of online access and services throughout our district. The council’s Connected Community Advisor, Jo Buckingham, says, “As we implement the council’s digital strategy, this information will help us gauge the need for improvements to digital access or support in our libraries and community organisations. We can then look to attract national funding for digital inclusion initiatives.”
Jo Buckingham says everyone in the Whanganui district is encouraged to complete the survey and help others to do so. “It’s not just for those who use the internet regularly,” she says.
“For those people who do not use the internet there will be opportunities to participate by paper, at events or by phone. Council staff and volunteers will also be doing mail drops in some suburbs and door knocking to help people complete the survey and make sure that a wide range of people are enabled to participate. It is important that the survey shows both the good and not so good stories of people’s digital journeys in the community.
“Having the ability to use the internet or access services digitally is becoming more and more important, especially during these uncertain times with COVID-19. We’ve already seen the barriers people face if they are unable to do things online like study or work remotely.
“This survey is intended to help us quantify what is happening in our community and what we can do together to support each other to make sure everyone has the same opportunity to participate online – or if they are unable to, that they are supported in their community to do the things they need to do day to day.”
Jo Buckingham says, “We want our community to speak up and tell us what they are seeing in their lives when it comes to digital access and confidence. The survey is also intended to become an annual check-up on internet access and confidence in our district so we can continue to make Whanganui a better digital environment for all.”
The survey on internet access and digital confidence in Whanganui closes at 5.00pm on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.
Survey prize draw!
The survey includes the chance to win one of several prizes generously donated by Tuatahi First Fibre (formally known as Ultrafast Fibre Ltd). Prizes include one of three tablets and 12 Prezzy Cards to the value of $25.00 each.
Tuatahi delivers the ultra-fast broadband fibre network available in urban Whanganui, and has worked closely with the council since 2012 to make Whanganui one of the first places in New Zealand to receive the fibre rollout.
How to participate in the survey
- Complete the online survey here.
- Complete a paper survey – available to download here – or request a paper survey form in person from Whanganui District Council at 101 Guyton Street (open Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.00pm) or by calling 06 349 0001
- Paper surveys can be returned to the council at 101 Guyton Street (or posted to Whanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Whanganui 4541) and all Whanganui District libraries and library hubs – for library locations and opening hours, please click here.
- Request to take part in the digital survey by phone – please call 06 349 0001 to arrange a time
- Request attendance to an event or location to complete the survey in person – please email digital@whanganui.govt.nz
- Take part if you receive a paper survey by mail or if you are approached to complete the survey in person. All COVID-19 restrictions will be adhered to for any face-to-face interaction.